Macks Creek finishes tournament strong with 11-1 win over Wheatland

Monday

Apr 8, 2013 at 11:52 AMApr 8, 2013 at 11:55 AM

WHEATLAND - Macks Creek concluded play in the Wheatland/Halfway Tournament with an 11-1, five-inning win over the Wheatland Mules on Friday night.

After a scoreless top half of the first by the Mules, Macks Creek plated four runs in the bottom. Brian Devivo and Tommie Willis were hit by a pitch and each advanced on a passed ball, putting runners at second and third. Bricker Berry then collected an RBI-ground out when the ball was fielded at second, putting the Pirates ahead 1-0. Austin Hufferd then lifted a deep fly ball to left, doubling in Willis. He would then be driven in by a Lane Parrack double to right-center. Following a pop out, Matt Hicks would rip an RBI-single, bringing in Parrack and creating a 4-0 lead Macks Creek would not relinquish. Chase Schmidt and Jacob Devivo would both reach before a pop up by Brian Devivo would end the inning.

With one out in the top of the second Trent Toler singled and promptly stole second. Following a fly out to center, Toler would advance to third ahead of a Jason Phillips walk before a pop out to third ended the threat. Macks Creek would load the bases in the bottom of the inning, but back-to-back strike outs and a force out at second ended the threat.

The Pirates tacked on four more runs in the third. With one out Jacob Devivo and Brian Devivo were both hit by pitches. Following a double-steal, Willis would drive in Jacob Devivo with a single, and Berry would drive in Brian Devivo with a ground out to first for a 6-0 lead. Hufferd would collect his second RBI of the night, driving in Willis with a single to left and then scamper to second when the ball got away from the left fielder. Parrack would collect his second RBI of the night with a single to right, plating Hufferd and giving Macks Creek an 8-0 lead.

Wheatland would score a run in the top of the fourth. Toler again reached, this time on an error by the Pirates' shortstop. He would advance to second when a pick off throw from the catcher sailed to the right of the first baseman and move to third on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Phillips would again walk and draw a balk to plate Toler and cut the Macks Creek lead to seven. A pop out to the pitcher ended the top of the inning.

The Pirates would plate two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Jacob Devivo singled with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Brian Devivo then doubled to bring in his brother. Willis followed with his third hit of the night, an RBI-single which brought in Brian. He was later caught stealing ahead of a strikeout to end the inning.

The Mules threatened again in the top of the fifth. Austin Kennedy singled and stole second. Following a walk to Luke Swartz, both he and Kennedy would advance on a wild pitch following a Pirates' pitching change. Michael Fellers would then walk to load the bases. Pirates' reliever Brian Devivo, in relief of starter Matt Hicks, would induce a ground ball back to him. He would throw to home and then see a throw to first to end the threat on a 1-2-3 double play.

In the bottom of the fifth, Hufferd would reach on an error by the third baseman and steal second. After a strikout, Brodi Kinney would walk. Matt Hicks then hit the first pitch saw to left center, bringing in Hufferd and ending the game via the run rule.

"We did very well offensively tonight," said Coach Trusty, "we managed to salvage a 2-2 record this week with two much better games the last two days."

Macks Creek was lead offensively by Tommie Willis' three-for-three night. He collected two RBI's, two stolen bases, was hit-by-a-pitch, and scored two runs. Austin Hufferd collected two hits, an RBI-double and an RBI-single, as well as three runs scored. Lane Parrack and Matt Hicks each went two-for-four. Parrack collected an RBI-single and an RBI-double, while Hicks collected a pair of RBI-singles. Parrack crossed the plate once as well. Brian Devivo had an RBI-double and scored three runs while his brother Jacob Devivo singled, reached on an error, and was hit-by-a-pitch. Jacob also scored two runs. Chase Schmidt reached on a walk, Brodi Kinney walked twice and Bricker Berry had two RBI's.

Wheatland's Austin Kennedy and Trent Toler picked up the only two hits for them offensively. Luke Swartz walked once while Michael Fellers and Jason Phillips each walked twice with Fellers also reaching on an error. Toler also reached on an error and scored the only Mules run.

Matt Hicks picked up his first career Varsity victory in his second appearance, first start, of the season. The freshman right hander worked four-plus innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out nine and walking four. Brian Devivo relieved in the fifth. He walked one and struck out one in his inning of work.

"Matt came out tonight with a great mindset and threw very well for us," said Coach Trusty, "the last two nights our starting pitching has done a really awesome job of keeping the opposing team off the board and allow us to get things going offensively."

Nathan Dixon took the loss for Wheatland. He worked two-and-two-thirds of an inning, giving up eight runs, seven earned, on seven hits while striking out two and walking one. He also hit five batters. Jason Phillips worked the next one-and-two-thirds of an inning and was on the mound when the game ended. He allowed three runs on four hits while striking out three and walking two batters.

Macks Creek moves to 3-2 with the win. They play host to Weaubleau on Monday, travel to Hermitage on Tuesday for a Varsity double header, head to Climax Springs on Thursday and then play host to Lincoln on Friday. All of these games are weather-pending.

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